The financial year 2020 went through various phases of

peaks and troughs due to various factors like slump in

international prices, festive season, lack of orders etc.

Amidst these, VCT crossed 0.5 million TEUs throughput in

the Fiscal Year 19-20 registering a growth rate of 12%. This

would not have been possible without the unstinted support

of the trade, especially VCT’s valued patrons. We thank

each one of them for the unstinted patronage.

Throughput at VCT grew because of the local volumes

contribution from the immediate hinterland with a growth

rate of 8%. Nepal bound cargo showcased a growth rate of

166% over corresponding period last year followed by reefer

traffic at 12% increase in FY 20 over FY 19 with a monthly

average of 1400-1500 FEUs. These were well

complemented with rail bound and transshipment traffic too.

Not to forget the coastal had its share of growth that has

been part of the overall throughput growth at VCT. In two

consecutive months i.e. both February & March 2020 the

number of rakes to ICD Birgunj has reached 50 and over.

Moreover, for the first time volumes have almost reached

the mark of 5000 TEUs in a month for Nepal bound cargo

through Visakhapatnam. During the month of March 2020

VCT handled 48 rakes, which is the Highest so far. The

operational performance at VCT has been consistently

improving with records achieved in Ship productivity and

Berth Productivity. (SMPH: 109 moves & BMPH: 102

moves).

VCT has direct connectivity across the globe with main line

and feeder services catering to China, South East Asia, Far

East, Middle East, Europe & Med regions followed by

connectivity into Africa & America via Colombo. The

presence of all these services has played a pivotal role in the

growth of VCT. To cater to the needs of the trade, VCT is

also ramping up its terminal expansion and hence more main

line services are expected to reach the port city,

Visakhapatnam. VCT is all set to increase its productivity

effectively and handle efficiently the envisaged growth.

The Corona virus declared pandemic continues to spread

and is a concern for all of us. While ensuring that all

possible and recommended measures are taken against the

spread of the virus, we at Visakha Container Terminal

would like to reassure you that the health and safety of our

employees and business partners is paramount to us.

During this period, terminal is operational round the clock

(24x7) as usual. Our team is available as always and can be

reached over email, Phones. VCT employees and contract

staff are provided with the required Personal Protective

Equipment (PPEs), Sanitizers, nose masks, hand gloves etc.,

moreover the terminal area is quarantined on a periodic

basis. Personnel (employees, visitors etc.) arriving in the

terminal are thermally screened at the entry as a

precautionary measure. To fight against the deadly virus

VCT has not left a single stone unturned. Terminal

management has taken all the precautionary measures

required to battle and handle the situation effectively against

the virus. Various periodic sessions were also taken by

Specialized Doctors at Visakhapatnam at the terminal

premises to keep the employees well aware about do’s &

don’ts of this pandemic and how to be safe.

To keep a continuous tab on the situation a special team has

been formed who will be monitoring the status of the

employees & contract staff’s well being followed by the

global situation with a 24x7 hotline for assistance.

Therefore, in order to ensure business as usual, VCT has a

Business continuity plan in place for avoiding any

disruptions at the terminal. We have close communication

with local health authorities and port /government authority

to understand the latest advisories and the same are being

followed without any compromise.

We wish you, your colleagues and all family members to be

safe and see through this period.

VCT Crosses 0.5 Million TEUs Mark

Mark

VCT Preparedness – COVID 19

Nepal based volumes growing and rising consistently

Nepal bound imports started in June 2017 through the city of destiny, Visakhapatnam where month on month the volumes kept

growing consistently and then rapidly. It started with a number as low as 50 TEUs and reached over 4500 TEUs per month.

Erstwhile, Visakhapatnam was called as an alternative gateway for Nepal, however, now it has now become the New and Modern

Gateway of Nepal.

The journey for this achievement was not easy and smooth but Visakha Container Terminal accepted and faced all the challenges

that came across efficiently & effectively by handling every container and rake that landed at the port city. In the month of August

2018 a total of 46 rakes were handled which was the highest then. This record was broken by 47 & 50 rakes in the month of

December 2019 & February 2020 respectively. The Nepal volumes are growing rapidly and VCT along with CONCOR is

extending its full support to further take up the new volumes to a greater height. March 2020 is yet another month which has

witnessed highest number: 58 rakes were handled. The growth trend of Nepal bound cargo is growing continuously making VCT its

ideal gateway

VCT – The Ideal Gateway on the East Coast of India

VISITORS AT VISAKHA CONTAINER TERMINAL

(Right) Mr. Aminesh Panda, GM, (Left) Mr. Murthaza Sabhir, Operations

Manager from TMIL Logistics India Pvt. Ltd., Visited on 11.03.2020

(Left) Mr. George Swamy, DGM, (Middle) Mr. Srinivasa Rao, DGM from TCI Seaways India

Pvt. LTd., & (Right) Mr. Rajani Kumar, Sr. Executive From Sai Samrat Shipping India Pvt.

Ltd., Visited on 07.03.2020

(Middle) Capt. Abhijit Das, Branch Head, (Right) Capt. Sunil Chopra, President & (Left) Mr.

Arun Das, Branch Incharge from ULA Shipping Services Ltd., Visited on 03.03.2020

(2nd from Left) Ms. Tarvinder Kaur, Manager, (Left) Mr. Hemang Ramesh Zakatia, Asst.

Manager from Um Khona & Company Ltd., along with Harika Shipping & Logistics Team

Visited on 07.03.2020

Exports of ISO Tank Containers from the City of destiny initiate

The port city Visakhapatnam has witnessed large volume of imports of

ISO tank containers. These tanks are designed to carry liquid in bulk of

both hazardous and non-hazardous with the make of stainless steel

surrounded by various types of protective layers that can carry between

21,000 to 40,000 litres of liquid cargo. Various commodities like

Hydrogen Peroxide, Sulphuric Acid, Nitric Acid, Mining Chemicals,

Food Products, Solvents, Oils, Resins, Alcoholic Beverages etc., are

usually carried in the tank containers.

Until such time Visakhapatnam did not have the facility of cleaning the

ISO tank due to which the imports that arrived had to go back as empty

with residue presence. This has in fact been a loss to the shippers, tank

container operators that did not generate required revenue. The empty

tanks with residue had to be moved to Hyderabad, Chennai or Mumbai

for cleaning which has been an additional cost too. Considering the fact that the numbers of tank imports are increasing at the city

of destiny, Visakhapatnam and the potential of export opportunities from the port city Balmer & Lawrie joined hands with Amal

Logistics and initiated a process of tank container cleaning facility. The dedicated facility has cleaning, repair & testing of ISO

tanks privileges which the tank operators can utilize.

Amal logistics are using different cleaning techniques for previously unloaded cargo to suit the export cargo. The process starts

with inspection, cleaning and then testing. First of all, if there is some loose material in the tank the cleaning is done manually.

The tanks are cleaned with 100 bar water pressure, similarly soap water is used for checking water leakage and air testing is done

with one bar air pressure. Once the cleaning is done, tanks are finally checked by the appointed surveyor where a thorough

checking is done on odor, air leakage, water leakage and repair issues, post which a “Clean Certificate” for the worthiness of the

tank container is issued which can be used for exports.

VCT observes 49th

National Safety Week

The 49th National Safety Week was observed from 04 March 2020 to 11 March 2020 at VCT as being done every year. The week

started with the flag hoisting followed by a safety pledge – oath taken by all VCT & Contract staff. Various events were planned

during the week that was conducted as planned and on schedule hassle free. It started off with a safety quiz programme on day one

followed by Workplace Safety Charades, Safety word search on the next day. On the third day of the week a health awareness

session on “Dry Eye” was organized in liaison with Heducate Solutions. Treasure Hunt, Painting competition for Children, VCT

& Contract employees, Hazards at work place, safety skit competition, safety procedures and Poster making competition are few

other events that were conducted during the week that spread the awareness across everyone.

A valedictory function was organized on the 11 March 2020 where various other programmes were conducted as well. The idea of

observing safety national week is to keep the staff abreast of the situations during the need of the hour where VCT has always

taken the first step when it comes to safety; being its utmost priority.